Data flow management apparatus, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to control a data flow associated with one of a plurality of ports sharing a resource, including a memory. The port having the controlled data flow may have an actual usage value above a determined average shared resource usage value associated with the plurality of ports.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate to data processinggenerally, including apparatus, systems, and methods used to manageresources, such as memory.

A portion of this document contains material which is subject tocopyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to thefacsimile reproduction by anyone of this document or other itemsincluding the protected material as maintained in the Patent andTrademark Office records, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoeverin this material. The following notice applies to the software and dataas described below and in any drawings attached hereto: Copyright© 2003Intel Corporation, All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Efficient management of resources during congested conditions can be ameasure of data switch performance, especially when those resources(e.g., packet storage, transmit queue storage) are shared among multipleports. For example, consider a switch that guarantees a minimum resourceallocation per port by reserving some portion of the resource for use byeach port. After reservations have been made, the remaining amount ofthe resource, such as a memory, may be allocated on a need-to-use basisas part of a shared resource pool.

If one of the ports begins to use resources from the shared pool (i.e.,beyond the reserved portion), congestion with respect to that port maybe implied. If multiple ports are using resources from the shared pool,one, some, or all of the ports might be contributing to the samecongestion, or to a variety of congested situations. Thus, determiningwhich ports might be involved in congestion at any given time can becomplicated, making it difficult to balance use of the resource pool.Therefore, apparatus, systems, and methods to more efficiently manageresources in the presence of congestion are needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus and a system according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating several methods according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 3 is a pseudocode listing that illustrates several methodsaccording to various embodiments; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an article according to variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A “resource,” for the purposes of this document, may include any virtualor physical item that can be shared among competing interests. Forexample, a resource may comprise processing time provided by amicroprocessor, current provided by a power supply, queue storageprovided by a memory, etc. Competing interests may include elements suchas circuits, ports, programs, data sources, etc.

Many of the embodiments described herein provide resource managementamong competing interests that operate to balance resource usage. Forexample, several embodiments may balance the use of a memory pool sharedby a number of ports in a data switch when congested conditions arise,and/or as congested conditions change. Some embodiments may manageresources by observing the shared usage of all ports and predictingwhether such usage is a part of the congestion, or of differentcongestion situations. Flow control can be applied to selected portsdetermined to contribute to overall congestion of the shared resource.“Congestion,” for the purposes of this document, may occur when aresource is utilized by a particular port to an extent that is greaterthan similar ports and above some specified limit. The amount ofcongestion may then be measured in relation to usage above someguaranteed level of resource allocation, by the kind of trafficsent/received at a port, and possibly with the assistance of internalresource usage counters.

To determine which ports are contributing to congestion, an “averagevalue” of the shared resource used among the contributing ports may bedetermined. Based on whether a selected port is above or below thedetermined average value, that port may be flow-controlled, or flowcontrol may be removed, respectively. The determined average value maybe updated as ports are added and deleted from using the sharedresource. Flow control may be effected by any number of handshakingmechanisms known to those of skill in the art, including the use ofvarious standards, such as the IEEE 802.3x series of standards. For moreinformation regarding the various IEEE 802.3 standards, please see theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3, 2000Edition, IEEE Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications andinformation exchange between systems—local and metropolitan areanetworks—specific requirements—Part 3: Carrier Sense Multiple Accesswith Collision Detection Access Method and Physical LayerSpecifications, and related versions.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus 100 and a system 110 accordingto various embodiments, each of which may operate in the mannerdescribed above. For example, an apparatus 100 may comprise acontrolling module 114 to control a data flow 118 associated with one ormore selected ports 122 having an actual usage value 126 above adetermined average shared resource usage value 130 associated with theports P1, P2, and P3 sharing a resource 134, such as a memory. Thenumber of ports 122 may be selected as those ports that have exceeded aminimum guaranteed resource limit. The data flow 118 may be organized asbits, bytes, words, packets, and/or frames. Packets may be formatted asEthernet packets. For more information regarding the Ethernet standard,please see the IEEE 802.3x series of standards, referenced above.

The apparatus 100 may include an average determination module 138 todetermine the determined average shared resource usage value 130, whichmay be found by determining a cumulative shared usage value 140 based ona selected number of ports 122 (e.g., three, as shown in FIG. 1) anddividing the cumulative shared usage 140 value by the selected number ofports 122. The cumulative shared usage value 140 may be determined bysumming the amount of the resource 134 used that is greater than aguaranteed minimum amount over the selected number of ports 122.

Given the broad definition of a resource given above, many embodimentsmay be realized. For example, an apparatus 100 may include a memory 134having a transmit queue storage 144, a plurality of ports 122 coupled tothe memory 134, and a reservation module 148 coupled to the ports 122 toprovide a minimum memory resource per port P1, P2, and P3, and to shareany remaining memory resource among the plurality of ports 122.

The apparatus 100 may also have an average determination module 138 todetermine a determined average shared resource usage value 130 as theminimum memory resource value guaranteed per port P1, P2, and P3. Theapparatus 100 may also include a controlling module 114 to control thedata flow 118 associated with one (or more) of the plurality of ports122 having an actual usage value above the determined average sharedresource usage value. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, P1 may becongested, and have an actual usage value 126 above the determinedaverage shared resource usage value 130. In this case, flow control maybe applied to port P1, but not to ports P2 and P3. In some embodiments,the memory 134 may be used to store a plurality of packets 150, possiblyin a transmit storage queue 144. The determined average shared resourceusage value may be determined as described above. The controlling module114 may comprise a network processor, including network processorssimilar to or identical to an Intel® IXP2400 network processor. Theapparatus 100 may also comprise a Layer 2 (or higher level) Ethernetswitch, similar to or identical to a D-Link DES-3226S Layer 2 switch,available from D-Link of Taipei, Taiwan. For more information regardingthe Ethernet standard, please see the IEEE 802.3x series of standards,referenced above.

In another embodiment, a system 110 may comprise an apparatus 100 asdescribed above, as well as a connector 154 including at least one ofthe ports 122. The system 110 may also include an antenna 158, such as amonopole, dipole, patch, or omnidirectional antenna to receiveinformation 160 included in the data flow 118, as well as a memory 134coupled to one or more of the ports 122. As is the case with theapparatus 100, the memory 134 may comprise a transmit queue storage 144.The system 110 may also comprise a communications medium 164, such as afiber optic cable, an electrical conductor, or even a carrier wave tocommunicate the data flow 118 with apparatus 100 and other elements.

The apparatus 100, system 110, controlling module 114, data flow 118,ports 122, actual usage value 126, determined average shared resourceusage value 130, resource 134, average determination module 138,cumulative shared usage value 140, transmit queue storage 144,reservation module 148, packets 150, connector 154, antenna 158,information 160, and communications medium 164 may all be characterizedas “modules” herein. Such modules may include hardware circuitry, and/orone or more processors and/or memory circuits, software program modules,including objects and collections of objects, and/or firmware, andcombinations thereof, as desired by the architect of the apparatus 100and the system 110, and as appropriate for particular implementations ofvarious embodiments.

It should also be understood that the apparatus and systems of variousembodiments can be used in applications other than for computers, andother than for systems that include wireless data communications, andthus, various embodiments are not to be so limited. The illustrations ofan apparatus 100 and a system 110 are intended to provide a generalunderstanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are notintended to serve as a complete description of all the elements andfeatures of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structuresdescribed herein.

Applications which may include the novel apparatus and systems ofvarious embodiments include electronic circuitry used in high-speedcomputers, communication and signal processing circuitry, modems,processor modules, embedded processors, data switches, andapplication-specific modules, including multilayer, multi-chip modules.Such apparatus and systems may further be included as sub-componentswithin a variety of electronic systems, such as televisions, cellulartelephones, personal computers, workstations, radios, video players,vehicles, and others.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating several methods according to variousembodiments. A method 211 may (optionally) begin with determining adetermined average shared resource usage value at block 221, which mayin turn comprise selecting a number of ports (e.g., a group of ports) bylocating a plurality of ports including at least one port using anamount of the resource greater than a guaranteed minimum amount at block225, determining a cumulative shared usage value based on the selectednumber of ports sharing the resource at block 229, and adjusting theselected number of ports to provide a scaled selected number of ports atblock 233. The cumulative shared usage value may be determined bysumming the amount of the resource used that is greater than aguaranteed minimum amount over the number of ports in the selectedgroup.

The determined average shared resource usage value associated with theselected number of ports may be determined repeatedly, and adjusted asdesired. The determined average shared resource usage value may also beimplemented as a dynamically changing value, as described below.

The method 211 may also include determining the determined averageshared resource usage value by dividing the cumulative shared usagevalue by the selected number of ports sharing the resource, such as amemory, at block 235. Similarly, the method 211 may include adjustingthe determined average shared resource usage value to provide a scaledaverage shared resource value based on port speeds of selected portswithin the selected group at block 237. The scaled selected number ofports may be based on port speeds (or determined as a function of actualport data rates, if known) for various selected ports within the groupof ports. For example, within a selected group of ports, the scaledselected number of ports may be based on a port speed associated with afirst port (e.g., 1 Gbit) and a port speed associated with a second port(e.g., 10 Gbit). The process of scaling will be explained in furtherdetail hereinbelow.

The method 211 may continue at block 241 with determining whether one ormore ports in a selected group of ports has an actual resource usagevalue above the determined average shared resource usage valueassociated with the selected group of ports (sharing a resource). If so,then the method 211 may also include controlling the data flowassociated with one or more of the selected group of ports that has anactual usage value above a dynamic threshold value if it is determinedthat the actual usage value is above the dynamic threshold value atblock 245.

The method 211 may include setting the dynamic threshold value as a sumof the determined average shared resource usage value and a delta valueat block 249, which may in turn be determined or set according to theport speed and an overall resource usage value including a cumulativeshared usage value based on the number of ports in the group at block253.

Thus, the method 211 may include controlling a data flow associated withat least one of a selected number of ports having an actual usage valueabove a determined average shared resource usage value (associated withthe selected group of ports sharing a resource) at block 257, and thendetermining the determined average shared resource usage value at block259. The process executed at block 259 may be similar to or identical tothe process shown for block 221, and described above. If it isdetermined that one of the ports in a selected group has an actual usagevalue below the determined average shared resource usage value at block261 (or one of the ports is no longer selected), then the control on thedata flow associated with that port may be removed at block 265. If theactual usage value for that port is not less than the determined averageshared resource usage value at block 261, then flow control willcontinue to be imposed on that port at block 257. Otherwise, the method211 may continue with determining the determined average shared resourceusage value at block 221.

It should be noted that the methods described herein do not have to beexecuted in the order described, or in any particular order. Moreover,various activities described with respect to the methods identifiedherein can be executed in serial or parallel fashion. Information,including parameters, commands, operands, and other data, can be sentand received in the form of one or more carrier waves.

Upon reading and comprehending the content of this disclosure, one ofordinary skill in the art will understand the manner in which a softwareprogram can be launched from a computer-readable medium in acomputer-based system to execute the functions defined in the softwareprogram. One of ordinary skill in the art will further understand thevarious programming languages that may be employed to create one or moresoftware programs designed to implement and perform the methodsdisclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientatedformat using an object-oriented language such as Java, Smalltalk, orC++. Alternatively, the programs can be structured in aprocedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such asassembly or C. The software components may communicate using any of anumber of mechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such asapplication program interfaces or interprocess communication techniques,including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodimentsare not limited to any particular programming language or environment,including Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible MarkupLanguage (XML).

Thus, other embodiments may be realized. FIG. 3 is a pseudocode listing370 that illustrates several methods according to various embodiments.In the initial section 372, several variables are initialized.PortRxUsage is the actual usage value of a memory resource by a selectedport. The code“PortRxSharedUsage=(PortRxUsage>Tpmin)?(PortRxUsage−Tpmin): 0”determines whether the selected port is using more than the minimumguaranteed resource limit (i.e., Tpmin). The Value CumulativeSharedUsageis the sum of PortRxSharedUsage over all of the ports in a selectedgroup.

The Delta Value may be set as a function of port speed and overallresource usage, designed to impose some amount of hysteresis about thedetermined average shared resource usage value. This helps to apply flowcontrol smoothly when the determined average shared resource usage valuechanges, and, as the resource is equally consumed by all ports in theselected group, more and more of the resource may be allowed to beconsumed until the overall resource usage is relatively high, such thatthe delta value tends toward zero.

At line 380, if the value of CumulativeSharedUsage is greater than amemory usage level for which adaptive flow control is enabled, then thenumber of ports using the resource above the minimum value are countedas NumPortsInShared, and scaled if desired. For example, assuming allports are 1 Gbit ports, then the value of AverageSharedUsage for each 1Gbit port may be set to [CumulativeSharedUsage/NumPortsInShared]. A 10Gbit port may be counted as ten 1 Gbit ports. Thus, the value ofAverageSharedUsage for each 10 Gbit port may be set to the value ofAverageSharedUsage for a 1 Gbit port times ten.

As noted previously, dynamic thresholds may be used. The dynamicthreshold for a 1 Gbit port may be set as DynamicThres1G, or the valueof AverageSharedUsage for a 1 Gbit port plus a selected delta value. Fora 10 Gbit port, the dynamic threshold may be set as DynamicThres10G, orthe AverageSharedUsage value for a 10 Gbit port plus the selected deltavalue. Another threshold, that at which flow control may be removed, mayalso be set as a dynamic value. For example, the valueDynamicThresh1Gdown for a 1 Gbit port may be set as the value of theDynamicThresh1G minus the selected delta value. Similarly, the valueDynamicThresh10Gdown for a 10 Gbit port may be set as the value of theDynamicThresh10G minus the selected delta value.

At line 382, appropriate dynamic threshold levels may be selected. Forexample, if the port is a 10 Gbit port, then the flow control assertiondynamic threshold DynamicThresh10G may be selected. Otherwise thedynamic threshold for a 1 Gbit port (e.g., DynamicThresh1G) may beselected. Similarly, if the port is a 10 Gbit port, then the flowcontrol de-assertion threshold DynamicThresh10Gdown may be selected.Otherwise the dynamic threshold for a 1 Gbit port (e.g.,DynamicThresh1Gdown) may be selected.

At line 384, it can be seen that if the value of PortRxSharedUsagegreater than or equal to DynamicThresh (i.e., the upper dynamicthreshold), then the selected port is consuming more than the determinedaverage shared resource usage value. Flow control may then be assertedfor that port, either for a fixed time, or as some function of thedeviation above the hysteresis band fixed by the dynamic threshold.

At line 386, it can be seen that if the value of PortRxSharedUsage isless than DynamicThreshDown (i.e., the lower dynamic threshold) for theselected port, then this port is not causing congestion, and flowcontrol can be removed, or de-asserted.

Still further embodiments may be realized. For example, FIG. 4 is ablock diagram of an article 491 according to various embodiments, suchas a computer, a memory system, a magnetic or optical disk, some otherstorage device, a data switch (including an Ethernet Layer 2 switch),and/or any type of electronic device or system. The article 491 maycomprise a machine-accessible medium such as a memory 495 (e.g., amemory including an electrical, optical, or electromagnetic conductor)having associated data 497 (e.g., computer program instructions), whichwhen accessed, results in a machine performing such actions ascontrolling a data flow associated with at least one of a selectednumber of ports (e.g., one or more of a selected group of ports) havingan actual usage value above a determined average shared resource usagevalue. As noted previously, the determined average shared resource usagevalue is typically associated with the selected number, or group, ofports sharing the same resource. Also, as noted previously, the dataflow associated with a selected port may be controlled if the actualusage value is above a dynamic threshold value.

Other activities may include determining the determined average sharedresource usage value, which may in turn include selecting the selectednumber of ports by locating a plurality of ports including at least oneport using an amount of the resource (e.g., a memory) greater than aguaranteed minimum amount, determining a cumulative shared usage valuebased on the selected number of ports, and determining the determinedaverage shared resource usage value by dividing the cumulative sharedusage value by the selected number of ports. Determining the cumulativeshared usage value may comprise summing the amount of the resource usedthat is greater than a guaranteed minimum amount over the selectednumber of ports.

Determining the determined average shared resource value may alsoinclude adjusting the determined average shared resource usage value toprovide a scaled average shared resource value. The scaled averageshared resource value may be based on a port speed associated with afirst port and a port speed associated with a second port (e.g., a 1Gbit port and a 10 Gbit port), wherein the first port and the secondport are included in the number of ports. Thus, further activities mayinclude setting a dynamic threshold value as a sum of a scaled averageshared resource usage value and a delta value.

Improved resource management during congested conditions may result fromimplementing various embodiments described herein. Resources consumed bya selected congested port may be allowed to depend on the congestionstatus of other ports. If multiple ports contribute to the samecongestion, they may be allowed to share resources in a more equalfashion. For conditions where more than one source of congestion exists,resources may be more equally distributed among the sources ofcongestion, such that higher resource utilization may be realized.

The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way ofillustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

1. A method, comprising: controlling a data flow associated with atleast one of a selected number of ports having a first actual usagevalue above a determined average shared resource usage value associatedwith the selected number of ports sharing a resource, wherein theselected number of ports each use an amount of the resource greater thana guaranteed minimum amount of the resource, and wherein determining thedetermined average shared resource usage value comprises selecting theselected number of ports by locating at least one port included in aplurality of ports using the amount of the resource greater than theguaranteed minimum amount, determining a cumulative shared usage valuebased on the selected number of ports, and determining the determinedaverage shared resource usage value by dividing the cumulative sharedusage value by the selected number of ports.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining the determined average shared resourceusage value.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: removing acontrol on the data flow associated with the at least one of theselected number of ports after the at least one of the selected numberof ports is determined to have a second actual usage value below thedetermined average shared resource usage value.
 4. The method of 1,further comprising: adjusting the selected number of ports to provide ascaled selected number of ports based on a port speed associated with afirst port and a port speed associated with a second port, wherein thefirst port and the second port are included in the selected number ofports.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: repeatedlydetermining the determined average shared resource usage valueassociated with the selected number of ports.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein controlling the data flow further comprises: controlling thedata flow associated with the at least one of the selected number ofports having the first actual usage value above a dynamic thresholdvalue.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: setting the dynamicthreshold value as a sum of the determined average shared resource usagevalue and a delta value.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:determining the delta value according to a port speed and an overallresource usage value including a cumulative shared usage value based onthe selected number of ports.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theresource comprises a memory.
 10. An article comprising amachine-accessible medium having associated data, wherein the data, whenaccessed, results in a machine performing: controlling a data flowassociated with at least one of a selected number of ports having anactual usage value above a determined average shared resource usagevalue associated with the selected number of ports sharing a resource,wherein the selected number of ports each use an amount of the resourcegreater than a guaranteed minimum amount of the resource, and whereindetermining the determined average shared resource usage value comprisesselecting the selected number of ports by locating at least one portincluded in a plurality of ports using the amount of the resourcegreater than the guaranteed minimum amount, determining a cumulativeshared usage value based on the selected number of ports, anddetermining the determined average shared resource usage value bydividing the cumulative shared usage value by the selected number ofports.
 11. The article of claim 10, wherein the data, when accessed,results in the machine performing: determining the determined averageshared resource usage value.
 12. The article of claim 10, wherein thedata, when accessed, results in the machine performing: adjusting thedetermined average shared resource usage value to provide a scaledaverage shared resource value based on a port speed associated with afirst port and a port speed associated with a second port, wherein thefirst port and the second port are included in the number of ports. 13.The article of claim 10, wherein controlling the data flow furthercomprises: controlling the data flow associated with the at least one ofthe selected number of ports having the actual usage value above adynamic threshold value.
 14. The article of claim 13, wherein the data,when accessed, results in the machine performing: setting the dynamicthreshold value as a sum of a scaled average shared resource usage valueand a delta value.
 15. The article of claim 10, wherein the resource isa memory.
 16. The article of claim 10, wherein determining thecumulative shared usage value comprises: over the selected number ofports, summing the amount of the resource used that is greater than theguaranteed minimum amount.
 17. An apparatus, comprising: a controllingmodule hardware to control a data flow associated with at least one of aselected number of ports having an actual usage value above a determinedaverage shared resource usage value associated with the selected numberof ports sharing a resource, wherein the selected number of ports eachuse an amount of the resource greater than a guaranteed minimum amountof the resource, and wherein determining the determined average sharedresource usage value comprises selecting the selected number of ports bylocating at least one port included in a plurality of ports using theamount of the resource greater than the guaranteed minimum amount,determining a cumulative shared usage value based on the selected numberof ports, and determining the determined average shared resource usagevalue by dividing the cumulative shared usage value by the selectednumber of ports.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: anaverage determination module to determine the determined average sharedresource usage value.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein thecumulative shared usage value is determined by summing, over theselected number of ports, the amount of the resource used that isgreater than the guaranteed minimum amount.
 20. The apparatus of claim17, wherein the controlling module hardware comprises a networkprocessor.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a Layer 2Ethernet switch.
 22. An apparatus, comprising: a memory having atransmit queue storage; a plurality of ports coupled to the memory; areservation module coupled to the plurality of ports to provide aminimum memory resource per port and to share a remaining memoryresource among the plurality of ports using more than the minimum memoryresource: an average determination module to determine a determinedaverage shared resource usage value greater than the minimum memoryresource; and a controlling module to control a data flow associatedwith at least one of the plurality of ports having an actual usage valueabove the determined average shared resource usage value.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 22, wherein average determination module is todetermine the determined average shared resource usage value bydetermining a cumulative shared usage value based on the plurality ofports and dividing the cumulative shared usage value by the plurality ofports.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the memory is to store aplurality of packets in the transmit queue storage.
 25. A system,comprising: a controlling module to control a data flow associated withat least one of a selected number of ports having a first actual usagevalue above a determined average shared resource usage value associatedwith the selected number of ports sharing a resource, wherein theselected number of ports each use an amount of the resource greater thana guaranteed minimum amount of the resource, and wherein determining thedetermined average shared resource usage value comprises selecting theselected number of ports by locating at least one port included in aplurality of ports using the amount of the resource greater than theguaranteed minimum amount, determining a cumulative shared usage valuebased on the selected number of ports, and determining the determinedaverage shared resource usage value by dividing the cumulative sharedusage value by the selected number of ports; and a connector includingat least one of the selected number of ports.
 26. The system of claim25, further comprising: an omnidirectional antenna to receiveinformation included in the data flow.
 27. The system of claim 25,further comprising: a memory coupled to the selected number of ports.28. The system of claim 27, wherein the memory comprises a transmitqueue storage.
 29. The system of claim 25, further comprising: acommunications medium to couple to the connector.